Heeling and walking on a loose leash are two different exercises. When you
take Buddy for a walk to give him exercise, or in order to do his business,
he’s on his own time. He can sniff, look around, or just aimlessly wander
about, so long as he doesn’t pull. For those times when you walk him on a
busy sidewalk or in an area with traffic, Buddy needs to learn the “Heel”
command.
Heeling means Buddy has to walk ?
Heeling means Buddy has to walk at your left side, the traditional position,while paying strict attention to you and staying with you as you change direction
or pace. When your dog is heeling, he’s now on your time. Buddy’s
responsibility is to focus on you, and you have to teach him to accept that
responsibility. Buddy has to learn to heel whether you make a right turn, left
turn, do an about-face turn, run, or slow walk. The key to teaching heeling is
to get Buddy to pay attention to you.
Heeling is used for walking your dog in traffic — when you need absolute
control — and for competitive obedience events. The American Kennel Club
(AKC) definition of heeling is walking “close to the left side of the handler
without swinging wide, lagging, forging, or crowding,” either on a loose leash
or off leash.
Teaching your dog to sit at heel
Before teaching Buddy to heel with both of you walking, you’re going to teach
him what to do when you stop, which is called the Automatic Sit at Heel:
him what to do when you stop, which is called the Automatic Sit at Heel:
- Attach your leash to the live ring of your dog’s training collar and have him sit at your left side with both of you facing in the same direction while you put the leash over your right shoulder
- Say, “Buddy, heel.”
- Take a step forward on your right foot, and then a step with the left
past the right; drop down on your right knee, put your right hand
against your dog’s chest, and fold him into a Sit at Heel position.
Use the same technique to sit your dog described in last article, and
avoid the temptation to push down on his rear end. Keep your hands in
place as you tell him how clever he is.
Buddy already knows the “Sit” command, but you’re now showing him
exactly where you want him to sit. Practice the Sit at Heel about five times or
until both of you feel comfortable with this maneuver.
avoid the temptation to push down on his rear end. Keep your hands in
place as you tell him how clever he is.
Buddy already knows the “Sit” command, but you’re now showing him
exactly where you want him to sit. Practice the Sit at Heel about five times or
until both of you feel comfortable with this maneuver.